In the short term, EPI symptoms can include the digestive symptoms mentioned above. “The classic symptoms of EPI are abdominal pain and steatorrhea, but these are not present in everyone with this condition,” says Shiv Desai, MD, a gastroenterologist at Austin Gastroenterology in Texas. “You need to lose 90 percent of the function of the pancreas prior to seeing the fat droplets.” As tempting as it may be to ignore the symptoms of EPI — because they don’t seem to be that bad at the moment, or because you‘re embarrassed to talk to your doctor about them — it’s important to get the right diagnosis and treatment to avoid the possible complications of the condition.
Long-Terms Effects of Leaving EPI Untreated
While the digestive symptoms aren’t pleasant, over time, EPI can lead to other problems too. “EPI can ultimately cause significant maldigestion and malnutrition,” says William Chen, MD, a gastroenterologist and clinical assistant professor at the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. This is because you can become deficient in certain fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, B12, D, E, and K. The lack of food absorption can also cause fatigue and weight loss. “Some people may eventually suffer from osteoporosis, and others may have impaired night vision,” Desai says. Complications that can occur as a result of EPI include:
MalnutritionWeight lossFatigueWeaknessOsteoporosis (According to StatPearls, nearly 65 percent of people diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis have either osteoporosis or osteopenia, which is an earlier version of osteoporosis.)Cardiovascular complicationsAnemia
Not surprisingly, complications such as these, which are related to the body being unable to properly digest and absorb nutrients, can greatly impact a person’s quality of life. According to StatPearls, not being treated properly for EPI can also increase one’s risk of financial troubles (due to a reduced ability to work), risk of illness, and even death.
How EPI Treatment Helps
The good news is that with treatment, you can expect your symptoms of EPI to improve. This includes taking pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) when you eat and working with a nutritionist to make sure your diet is healthy and includes plenty of the nutrients you need and eliminates foods that can worsen your symptoms. This helps your body increase the absorption of important nutrients, which not only helps you feel better but also helps you avoid possible complications. Identifying what caused the problems in your pancreas can also be an important part of the puzzle for successful EPI treatment. “It is important to identify the root cause of EPI — whether it’s related to an underlying pancreatic problem such as chronic pancreatitis or an underlying autoimmune or metabolic condition,” says Desai. “Pancreatic cancer can also be a cause of EPI (not the other way around), so further testing may be indicated for a new diagnosis of EPI with no other clearly identified cause,” Dr. Chen adds.
Seeking Treatment for EPI
EPI can be tricky to diagnose because the symptoms, like abdominal pain and diarrhea, can be due to many different causes. But if you are experiencing chronic digestive symptoms or suspect you might have EPI, it’s a good idea to contact your doctor, who may refer you to a gastroenterologist for testing and treatment. Bottom line: With the right diagnosis and treatment, it’s highly likely that you’ll be able to find relief for your symptoms and get back to enjoying your daily life and activities.
